A Restaurant in Central Seoul
The evening lights were beginning to flicker on beyond the restaurant's panoramic windows. Tables groaned under the weight of food and alcohol as the student party gained momentum. The freshmen were letting loose, eagerly proposing drinking games one after another. Upperclassmen had gathered at neighboring tables, grilling meat. Bursts of laughter erupted here and there - the new academic year kickoff party had drawn nearly all the business management students from Seonghwa University.
Suho sat at a table with the guys from the basketball team, slowly nursing a beer. For the first time in a long while, he felt at ease. His friends were discussing the strategies their coach planned to use in the upcoming season. Practice would start soon, and by mid-autumn, the team would have friendly matches with other universities - a traditional warm-up before the official competitions. Everything seemed to be moving forward as usual.
"Would you be able to watch our practice, sunbae?" asked a sophomore sitting across from Suho.
Everything is moving forward as usual.
The younger player looked at him with undisguised admiration. Of course he did. Before him sat the captain of the university team - Choi Suho. A man who transformed into an unstoppable force on the court, driving his team to victory. Two undefeated years. Two gold medals at the intercollegiate championships. A fierce temperament. An aura that crushed opponents' willpower. Skill, speed, strength, leadership - there was much one could say about Choi Suho.
But the others at the table had gone noticeably quiet, exchanging quick glances among themselves.
"Seowon, why are you so pushy? Try making it into the main lineup first. Coach Lee appointed a new captain, and he's a real pain in the ass-" Minseok cut himself off abruptly, having received a warning jab to the ribs.
Suho interrupted his friend before he could scare the younger ones any further.
"Park was a solid forward last season. It makes sense the coach picked him," Suho said with a shrug, using his chopsticks to roll meat and lettuce into a wrap.
The guys at the table agreed and quickly changed the subject. Minseok let out a quiet sigh and turned to the sophomore.
"Anyway, train hard if you want to get on the main lineup."
"Yes!" the younger man replied enthusiastically, stealing glances at Suho now and then. It was clear no one had properly filled him in on the situation.
Suho smiled to himself, hiding just how much Coach Lee's decision had actually stung.
"If I have time, I'll stop by. Send me your practice schedule later," he said, picking up another piece of meat with his chopsticks.
"You'd better focus on your internship," Minseok grumbled, using the tongs to move all the remaining meat from the grill onto Suho's plate. "Here. Eat."
Suho's lips curved into a faint smile. He took a sip of his beer and, in a wave of bittersweet affection, thought about what a good friend Minseok was.
The internship. Graduation year. Exams. These were the reasons Minseok kept giving to explain the captaincy change to anyone who asked. Suho was certain it was on his friend's initiative that the rest of the old team did the same. They were protecting their former captain.
Suho winced, barely perceptibly, as his knee throbbed more sharply. He'd lost all appetite. His thoughts began spiraling again around a subject that had worn itself ragged over the summer. Аll the excuses sounded pathetic. If he had a chance to return to the court, nothing would stop him. Exams? He'd figure something out. He'd never had a greater passion than basketball.
But four months of rehabilitation had only gotten him back on his feet. Not back on the court, standing alongside his team.
"Hyung? Suho-hyung, are you listening to me?" Minseok's hand touched his shoulder.
Suho blinked and looked at his friend, catching the unspoken question in his concerned gaze.
Are you okay?
"...Ah, yeah? What?" Suho smiled back at him and raised his beer for another sip.
He didn't want to give his friend more reasons to worry. He was fine right now. He was alive. He could walk. He was fine.
Minseok studied his face for a few seconds, then gave up with a sigh. Just then, a wave of loud exclamations rippled through the freshmen's section, drawing everyone's attention. Suho followed the direction of the younger students' excited gazes and noticed a girl who had just entered the dining hall, accompanied by the manager.
The freshmen jumped up from their seats immediately, waving their hands to invite her over.
"That's Jia! Yoon Jia! Hey! Yoon Jia!" The calls didn't stop as the girl hurried toward their table and took the seat that had been saved for her.